The Chairman of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission, Isiaka Abiola Olagunju, SAN, has called for the suspension of the ongoing election in Ido Local Government Area of the state.
He stated that the development was as a result of the logo of the Zenith Labour Party that was missing on the ballot paper.
The Chairman announced the cancellation while speaking with some journalists on Saturday afternoon, adding that any other information relating to the development will be made known to the public as soon as available.
In His words: “One information was brought to me few minutes ago, which is quite unpalatable. It was unexpected despite all our efforts to achieve seamless exercise. This is in respect to the Ido Local Government.
“I was informed that the logo of ZLP was excluded inadvertently. It is really a serious error on our part and I take full responsibility for it. It was not intended to go this way. The party happens to be contesting in one local government, which is Ido. So, in that wise, we have decided to suspend the election at the Ido LG alone for now.”
Olagunju, who says he takes responsibility for the error, pointed out that it would be out of logic to go ahead with such election.
“You know I promised the people of Oyo State of our transparency, credibility and fairness in the election process. It won’t be right when somebody is contesting a local government cannot find his logo on the ballot box and we go ahead with such election. That will be very wrong.
“So, I want to announce to the public that only the Ido LG election for the positions of both Chairmanship and Councillorship is suspended. Whatever we decide on, I will let you know in few hours time.
“You can see that other commissioners are not around but I can assure you that whatever we agree upon on the way forward will be made known to the public,” He added.
